What are tension headaches?
Tension headaches are the most common headaches. They cause aching, tightness, pressure, and pain around the forehead, temples, or back of the head and neck. They tend to happen again and again, especially if a person is under stress. They usually aren't a sign of something serious. But they can be very painful.
What are the symptoms of a tension headache in children?
Tension headaches usually cause a constant pain or pressure on both sides of the head. Your child may feel tightness around their forehead. They may also have aching pain at their temples or the back of their head and neck. The pain usually isn't severe.
How are tension headaches in children diagnosed?
Your child's doctor will do a physical exam and ask questions, such as how often the headaches occur and what the symptoms are. The doctor will ask about your child's overall health.
Tension headaches can be similar to other kinds of headaches, which may have different treatments. So it's important for the doctor to find out what kind of headache your child has. The doctor can rule out other health problems that may be related to the headaches.
It's common for parents to feel concerned about their child's headaches. You may feel that more testing is needed to rule out serious causes. But doctors often can find out the type and the cause of the headaches without using other tests.
In some cases, imaging and other tests may be recommended to rule out other health problems. But this isn't common. These tests include:
- MRI or CT scan.
- Electroencephalogram (EEG).
- Lumbar puncture.
How are tension headaches in children treated?
Tension headaches can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as children's acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If this doesn't help, or if the headaches happen often, your doctor may prescribe other medicines. Home treatment, such as resting and managing stress, can also help your child feel better.
If your child's headaches are severe or happen often, your doctor may prescribe a daily medicine. This is to help prevent them. The medicine may also be prescribed if your child's headaches interfere with school or other activities. Have your child take the medicine every day, even if they don't have a headache.
How can you care for a child who has a tension headache?
Here are some steps you can take to treat your child's tension headaches at home.
- Have your child rest in a quiet, dark room. Most headaches will go away within 24 hours with rest or sleep.
- Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for pain. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- Be careful about using pain relievers too often because over time this can make your child's headaches worse.
- You can give your child water. Don't give your child drinks that contain caffeine. Fluids may help the headache go away faster.
- Put a cold, moist cloth or cold pack on the painful area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the cold pack and your child's skin.
- Heat can help some children. Try a warm bath or shower. Or use a warm, moist towel or heating pad set on low on your child's shoulders and neck.
- Gently massage your child's neck and shoulders.
- Do not ignore new symptoms that occur with a headache, such as a fever, weakness or numbness, vision changes, or confusion. These may be signs of a more serious problem.
Tension headache in children: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- Your child has a very painful, sudden headache that's different from any they have had before.
- Your child has a headache with sudden weakness, numbness, trouble moving parts of the body, vision problems, slurred speech, confusion, or behavior changes.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- Your child has headaches after a recent fall or blow to the head.
- Your child has a fever and a stiff neck.
- Your child has new nausea and vomiting, or they cannot keep down food or fluids.
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- Your child wakes up with a headache and vomiting, and this happens more than a few times.
- Light hurts your child's eyes.
- Your child has a headache that does not get better within 1 or 2 days.
- Your child's headaches get worse or happen more often.
- Your child is often missing school, sports, or other activities because of their headaches.
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